Editorial: Fire codes and arts districts

Oct. 12, 2012

At first glance, the story about the shuttering of Foam City was doubly sad from this desk.

No. 1, Lafayette fire inspectors said it took them months to check out the warehouse-turned-art space for possible code violations because they didn’t know it was there on Third Street. And that’s despite the fact that Foam City concerts and gallery walk shows have been steadily promoted in print and over social media for some time. The spot even warranted prominent mentions in Greater Lafayette Commerce’s quality of life report, “Good to Great: Making Greater Lafayette a Community of Choice.” (Note to our marketers: Check on the J&C’s reach within the Lafayette Fire Department.)

Reason No. 2, Foam City and other weird and wonderful enterprises like it need to be encouraged in this community. We hate to see the spaces that are taking new approaches have to close to audiences.

That said, while the “Good to Great” report called on the community to loosen up and take more chances, playing loose with fire codes in places where performances are put on isn’t the way to get that done. There’s an expectation for safety.

Here’s hoping this is just a temporary setback for Foam City and places aspiring to be like it.

Eventually people will find Foam City, once it reopens. Heaven knows Lafayette inspectors did.